Pathways to become a

Certified Sleep Technologist

By the American certifying bodies
Objectives:

 Know the current available certifying

bodies and exams.

 Discover the requirements for the exam

and be able to prepare for it.

 Learn the knowledge and skills to pass

the exam.

2
 How do I become
a sleep technologist?
1. Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent.

2. Choose an educational pathway:

a) An allied health certificate or health professional
degree with on-the-job sleep center experience.

b) A-STEP introductory course and modules.

c) A certificate offered by the Commission on

Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP) or a Commission on Accreditation for
Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved programs.
3
 How do I become certified?

1. The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM)

2. The National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)

3. The Board of Registered Polysomnographic

Technologist (BRPT)

4. European Sleep Research Society (ESRS)

4
 The American Board
of Sleep Medicine
http://www.absm.org/resources/candidatehandbook.pdf

5
American Board of Sleep Medicine
(ABSM)
Eligibility Pathways
(Pathway A) Graduates of CoA, CoA END or CoARC
PSG programs

(Pathway B) A-STEP introductory program and

modules with on-the-job training

(Pathway C) Health professionals

(Pathway D) RPSGT Credential

6
 The National Board
of Respiratory Care

 NBRC’s
Sleep Disorders Specialty
Examination recognized as equivalent by
AASM.

 AASM officially recognize the NBRC’s Sleep

Disorders Specialty Examination in its
Standards for Accreditation for Sleep
Disorders Centers. 8
 The National Board
of Respiratory Care
 https://www.nbrc.org/crt/pages/default.aspx
 https://www.nbrc.org/rrt/pages/default.aspx

9
 The European Sleep
Research Society
• http://www.esrs.eu

10
 The European Sleep
Research Society

 TheEuropean Sleep and Research Society

(ESRS) is an international scientific non-profit
organization and promotes all aspects of
sleep research and sleep medicine.

11
ESRS Examination in Sleep Medicine
The ESRS Board is pleased to announce the:

6th Examination of Certification in Sleep

Medicine and
4th Examination of Certification in Sleep Medicine
for Sleep Technologists 

which will take place during the 

Sleep and Breathing conference in Marseille, France (6
12
- 8 April 2017). The exact date will be announced soon.
• The examination will consist of two components.
1) The first part will be a written test, consisting of 50 multiple-choice
questions to be completed on-site. The ESRS Textbook and 2015 AASM
Scoring Manual Version version 2.2 are the recommended reading for
this examination.

23 questions will be related to chapter B (Sleep Diagnostics) and the other

27 questions will be related to topics from chapters A, C-J of the ESRS

Textbook.

The pass mark is 50%.

2) The second part of the examination will focus on practical skills. This

part will involve sleep staging, event scoring and interpreting 2 excerpts
from PSG recordings and also a full MSLT recording. All consecutive 30-
second epochs will be printed on paper. Successful candidates must
13
achieve an 85% concordance with the panel of experts.
 Both parts must be successfully passed in order to qualify for
 The Board of Registered
Polysomnographic Technologist
• http://www.brpt.org

14
 What is Registered Polysomnographic
Technologist (RPSGT)
 Is a fully trained sleep technologist who
has met the rigorous requirements to
become credentialed by the BRPT (Board
of Registered Polysomnographic
Technologist).
15
 RPSGT Pathways

Pathway 1: Pathway 2: Pathway 3: Pathway 4: Pathway 5:

Clinical Experience Healthcare Credential CAAHEP/CoARC Student Focused Training International Option

1. Graduates of a 1. Minimum of 819

1. Minimum of 1. Minimum of CAAHEP or hrs. of experience 1. International
1,638 hrs. 546 hrs. of CoARC- in the field candidates with a
of experience in accredited minimum of 546
experience the field polysomongraphy 2. Completed a STAR- hrs. of experience
in the field
education designated Focused in the field
2. Have another program education program
2. Completed a Healthcare
STAR- Credential OR
designated combination of
Self-Study Self-
education Study and
program Focused 2
education

16
RPSGT Pathway

Pathway 6:
Expired RPSGT Credential

1. For individuals who

have possessed an
active RPSGT credential
within the past 5 years
that is currently at least
1 year expired

17
 6 Eligibility Pathways for
the
RPSGT exam
RPSGT Pathway 1: Clinical Experience

Candidates for Pathway 1 must COMPLETE:

A STAR-designated Self-Study education program

within a 3-year period prior to the exam.

18
OVERVIEW

STAR (SLEEP TECHNOLOGY APPROVED RESOURCE) PROGRAM

 Are alternative education programs for exam

eligibility.
 STAR programs are assigned a program
provider number allowing the STAR provider
to track student performance on BRPT
exams. 19
OVERVIEW

STAR (SLEEP TECHNOLOGY APPROVED RESOURCE) PROGRAM

 Use instructors and course developers who are
credentialed in sleep technology and/or sleep
medicine, respiratory care,
electroneurodiagnostics, or their specialty
field.

 Provide an examination at the completion of

each topic or program to assess the student’s
knowledge and understanding of the materials
20

presented.
OVERVIEW

STAR (SLEEP TECHNOLOGY APPROVED RESOURCE) PROGRAM

 Base content and information on current
references and textbooks, and provide
education and instructional methods in
accordance with industry standards.

 Provide a certificate to document a student’s

successful completion of each education
module and/or the entire program. 21
STAR-designated programs fall into
one or more of the following
education categories:
1. Self-Study
2. Focused
3. Focused 2
22
A-STEP

1) AASM A-STEP Introductory Course

2) AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules

 23 on-line modules

23
 RPSGT Pathway 1:
Clinical Experience

Candidates for Pathway 1 must

COMPLETE:
– A minimum of 1,638 hours of clinical
experience that includes on-site
polysomnography duties performed as direct
patient recording and/or scoring. 
– Clinical experience within a 3-year period prior
to the exam.
24
 RPSGT Pathway 1:
Clinical Experience

Candidates for Pathway 1 must SUBMIT:

1. Proof of completion of secondary

education.

2. Proof of completion of the required STAR

education.

25
 RPSGT Pathway 2:
Healthcare Credential

Candidates for Pathway 2 must COMPLETE:

– A minimum of 546 hours of clinical experience that
includes on-site polysomnography duties performed
as direct patient recording and/or scoring.

– Clinical experience within a 3-year period prior to

the exam.
– Have current allied health credential listed on the
List of Accepted Allied Health Credential.
26
 Pathway #2 Credentials
 Medical Doctor - (MD)

 Nursing - (RN, LPN)

 Respiratory Care - (RRT, CRT)

These credentials must be granted by the NBRC or a
foreign equivalent.
State licenses do not fulfill this requirement

 Electroneurodiagnostic - (R. EEG T., R. EP T.,

CNIM)
27
Pathway #2 Credentials
 Physician’s Assistant (PA)

 PhD. in health related field

 Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

 Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

 Paramedic - (EMT-P)

 Doctor of Dental Surgery - (DDS)

28
Pathway #2 Credentials
 Radiology - (RT, RT (R), RT (CT), RT (BD), RT
(N))

 Certified Hyperbaric Technologist)

 Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist -

(CNMT)

 Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)

 Doctor of Public Health – DrPH

29

 Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer –

Pathway #2 Credentials
 Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist –
RCIS

 Doctor of Audiology – Au. D.

 Certified Athletic Trainer – AT

 Medical Technologist – MT

 Doctor of Podiatry – DPM

30
 RPSGT Pathway 2:
Healthcare Credential

Candidates for Pathway 2 must SUBMIT:

1. Proof of a current and accepted

healthcare credential.

31
 RPSGT Pathway 3:
CAAHEP/CoARC Graduate
Candidates for Pathway 3 must:

 Be a Graduate from an education program in

polysomnography accredited by the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP) or the Commission on Accreditation for
Respiratory Care (CoARC).

 Complete the education program within a 3-year

period prior to the exam.
32
 RPSGT Pathway 3:
CAAHEP/CoARC Graduate

Candidates for Pathway 3 must SUBMIT:

1. Proof of graduation from the CAAHEP or CoARC

polysomnography program.

2. Official transcript, official letter from a college

signed by the Program Director and Dean, or a
diploma from the educator provider.

33
 RPSGT Pathway 4:
Focused Training

Candidates for Pathway 4 must COMPLETE:

- A minimum of 819 hours of clinical experience that
includes on-site polysomnography duties performed
as direct patient recording and/or scoring.
- A STAR-designated Focused education program OR
both a STAR-designated Self-Study education
program AND a STAR-designated focused 2 program,
within a 3-year period prior to the exam.

34
 RPSGT Pathway 4:
Focused Training

Candidates for Pathway 4 must

COMPLETE:
- Clinical experience within a 3-year period prior
to the exam.

35
 RPSGT Pathway 4:
Focused Training

Candidates for Pathway 4 must SUBMIT:

1. Proof of completion of the required STAR

program(s).

2. Proof of completion of secondary

education.
36
 RPSGT Pathway 5:
International Option

Candidates for Pathway 5 must

COMPLETE:
- International tertiary/post secondary
qualification in science/medical science or
related discipline with a major component of
human anatomy and physiology included in the
curriculum.
37
 RPSGT Pathway 5:
International Option

Candidates for Pathway 5 must COMPLETE:

- A minimum of 546 hours of clinical experience
that includes on-site polysomnography duties
performed as direct patient recording and/or
scoring.
- Clinical experience within a 3-year period prior
to the exam.
38
 RPSGT Pathway 5:
International Option

Candidates for Pathway 5 must SUBMIT:

1. Proof of completion of tertiary/post
secondary education from a country outside
of the United States.

2. Proof of residency outside of the United

States.
39
 RPSGT Pathway 6:
Expired RPSGT Credential

Candidates for Pathway 6 must:

– Possessed an active RPSGT credential within
the past 5 years that is currently expired.  You
must apply and pass the examination within 1-
5 years of your credential expiration date.  

40
 RPSGT Pathway 6:
Expired RPSGT Credential

Candidates for Pathway 6 must SUBMIT:

– Previous RPSGT credential number and
expiration date.

– Documentation of 50 continuing education

credits earned within the immediate past 5
yrs. 
41
All RPSGT Eligibility
Pathways require:

 Documentation of current BCLS

certification or equivalency.

 Verification of Experience section on

application must be completed.

42
 General Advice on Studying
 Start preparing early (at least 6 months in
advance).

 Set aside specific times in the day or week to

study and stick to the schedule.

 Find a mentor, study partner or study group.

 Adjust study time to allow coverage in all areas

about 1 month before taking exam.
43
General Advice on Studying
(Cont…)
 Refer to the Examination Content Outline
continually to stay on course.

 Order the BRPT study guide.

 Take at least one of the practice exams

offered by BRPT online.

44
45
 Purpose of RPSGT
Candidate Handbook

 To assist candidates in preparing for the RPSGT (Registered

Polysomnographic Technologist) Examination.

46
RPSGT Examination Primary Reference

47
 The 5 Secret Keys
to RPSGT Test Success

1. Time is Your Greatest Enemy

2. Guessing is Not Guesswork

3. Practice Smarter, Not Harder

4. Prepare, Don’t Procrastinate

5. Test Yourself

48
49
50
Website:

http://www.aasmnet.org/astep/
http://www.aasmnet.org/astep/Modules.aspx

www.brpt.org

This is really a hard test, be prepared

51
 Suggested Reading List
1. Iber C, Ancoli-Israel S, Chesson AL, Jr., Quan SF. The
AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated
Events: Rules, Terminology and Technical
Specifications. Westchester, IL: American Academy of
Sleep Medicine, 2007.

2. Kushida CA, Chediak A, Berry RB, et al. Clinical

guidelines for the manual titration of positive airway
pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 2008;4(2):157-71.

3. Lee-Chiong T, Butkov N. Fundamentals of Sleep

Technology. Phildelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins,
52

2007.
 Accreditation requirements to be classified
as SLEEP MEDICINE TECHNOLOGISTS in Saudi Arabia
Applicants must have a bachelor degree in one of the following credentials:
1. Respiratory therapy 2. Nursing 3. Electroneurodiagnostic 4. Medical doctor (MD)
5. Dentist 6. Physical therapy 7. Applied Medical Sciences

Pathway I Pathway II

1. RPSGT OR Applicant must have a minimum of twelve months of on job

practical hands-on training (experience) under the
2. ABSM OR
supervision of a sleep disorders specialist accredited by the
3. Sleep Disorders Specialty Examination by NBRC SCHS

AND AND
A proof of documented experience of A proof of documented experience of
A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS training meeting the following A MINIMUM OF TWELVE MONTHS training meeting the
following
1. PSG recording procedure in a minimum of 150 patients
1. PSG recording procedure in a minimum of 100 patients 2. Scoring, interpreting, and reporting a minimum of 150
2. Scoring, interpreting, and reporting of a minimum of 100 PSGs
PSGs 3. MSLT ⁄ MWT procedure in a minimum of 20 patients
3. MSLT ⁄ MWT procedures in a minimum of 15 patients 4. Provision of evidence of sufficient practical experience &
4. Provision of evidence of sufficient practical experience & skills in application of non-invasive positive airway
skills in application of non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy
pressure therapy 5. Applicants have to pass the registration exam for sleep
technologists prepared by the SCHS
Application must be within a 3 year period of the above training
53 53